Tank Holder

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a base member, a first leg member pivotably engaged to the base member, a second leg member pivotably engaged to the base member, a third leg member pivotably engaged to the base member, the third leg member including a linkage portion, and a retaining member engaged to the linkage portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/326,070, filed Apr. 20, 2010.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to tank holders. Tanks such as, propane tanks and water tanks are often transported in a vehicle. The tanks are heavy, and are prone to undesirably tip when subjected to forces.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes a base member, a first leg member pivotably engaged to the base member, a second leg member pivotably engaged to the base member, a third leg member pivotably engaged to the base member, the third leg member including a linkage portion, and a retaining member engaged to the linkage portion.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, An apparatus includes a base member, a first leg member pivotably engaged to the base member, a second leg member pivotably engaged to the base member, a third leg member pivotably engaged to the base member, a fourth leg member pivotably engaged to the base member, the fourth leg member including a linkage portion, and a retaining member engaged to the linkage portion.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with the advantages and the features, refer to the description and to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment assembled holding apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the holding apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the linkage portion and the retaining member of the holding apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the retaining member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the holder 100 when disassembled.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the holder 100 when disassembled and folded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment assembled holding apparatus (holder) 100 and tank 101. The holder 100 includes a base portion 102, leg members 104, and a retaining member 106 that are operative to increase the stability of the tank 101 in an upright position. In the illustrated embodiment, the holder 100 is formed from metallic wire material such as, for example, steel wire. Alternate embodiments may be made from any suitable material or combination of materials such as for example, a plastic or resin material.

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the holder 100. The base portion 102 includes a ring portion 202 that defines a plane and a support portion 204 that includes transverse members 206 and a base retainer portion 208. In operation, a tank 101 (of FIG. 1) or a similarly shaped object is placed on the base retainer portion 208. In the illustrated embodiment the tank 101 includes a circular base. The base retainer portion 208 defines a plane is shaped to engage the circular base of the tank 101. The plane defined by the ring portion 202 is aligned substantially parallel to the plane defined by the base retainer portion 208. Alternate embodiments may include a base portion 102 having any shape such that the base may engage tanks having different shaped bases. Cross members 210 may be included that increase the rigidity of the base portion 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the ring portion 202 includes arcuate segments 203 and linear segments 205. The leg members 104 hingably (pivotably) engage the linear segments 205 of the ring portion 202 with looped portions 218 arranged about the linear segments 205. In the illustrated embodiment, the linear segments 205 are connected to the arucate segments 203 with curved segments 216 that provide clearance for the rotation of the leg members 104 about the linear segments 205 when the base portion 102 rests on a surface. The linear segments 205 define a plane substantially parallel to the plane defined by the base retainer portion 208. Though the illustrated embodiment includes the linear segments 205 that are connected to the arcuate segments 203 with the curved segments 216, alternate embodiments may include the linear segments 205 connected to the arcuate segments 203 without the curved segments 206 such that the linear segments 205 are arranged coplanar with the arcuate segments 203. Though the illustrated embodiments include the arcuate segments 203, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the ring portion 203 may be formed from segments that are similar to the arcuate segments 203, but are linear or straight shaped, or arranged in an alternate configuration such that the ring portion 203 is not limited to include arcuate shaped segments but may include segments having any suitable shape.

A leg member 201 is similar to the leg members 104, and similarly hingably engages a linear segment 205. The leg member 201 includes a linkage portion 207 that slidably and pivotably links the retaining member 106 to the leg member 201. the linkage portion 207 is formed by loops 220 that are arranged about the retaining member 106. The loops 220 may link the linkage portion 207 to the retaining member 106. The retaining member 106 includes arcuate segments 209 and linear segments 211. In the illustrated embodiment, the linkage portion 207 is linked to one of the linear segments 211 of the retaining member 106. Though the illustrated embodiment includes the linkage portion 207, alternate embodiments may include a linkage portion 207 that may be formed in a similar shape to the loops 218 such that the retaining member 106 may pivot about the distal end of the leg member 201, but may not necessarily slidably engage the leg member 201.

When arranged for use, the base portion 102 may be placed on a surface, and the leg members 104 and 201 are pivoted into a substantially upright position. In the illustrated embodiment the leg members 104 are angled inwardly towards the center of the holder 100. The linear segments 211 of the retaining member 106 are aligned with impingement portions 213 a and 213 b at distal ends of the leg members 104. The aligned linear segments 211 engage the impingement portions 213 a of the leg members 104 that are adjacent to the leg member 201, exerting forces in the direction of the arrows 210. The impingement portion 213 b of the leg member 104 that opposes the leg member 201, engages the aligned linear segment 211, exerting an opposing force in the direction of the arrow 212. The linkage portion 207 defines looped distal ends 222 that exert a force in the direction of the arrow 214. The resiliency of the retaining member 106 results in a spring like bias that slightly deforms the retaining member 106 when the retaining member engages the impingement portions 213 a, 213 b, and the linkage portion 207.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the linkage portion 207, and the retaining member 106. The retaining member 106 includes an impeding member 302 that is arranged with the linear segment 211 and disposed between portions of the linkage portion 207. The impeding member 302 is arranged such that the impeding member 302 impedes the movement of the retaining member 106 in the direction of the arrows 301 about the linkage portion 207. The impeding member 302 acts to align the linear segments 211 with the impingement portions 213 a and 213 b (of FIG. 2).

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the retaining member 106 including linear segments 211 a and 211 b that correspond to the impingement portions 213 a and 213 b (of FIG. 2) respectively.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the holder 100 when unfolded. Unfolding the holder 100 and placing the holder 100 may ease the user in placing the tank 101 (of FIG. 1) into the holder 100. Once a user places the tank 101 into the base portion 102, the leg members 104 and the retaining member 106 may be pivoted and secured as described above to secure the tank 101 in the holder 100.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the holder 100 arranged for storage or packaging. When rotated, the distal ends of the leg members 104 rotate towards the center of the base portion 102. The linkage portion 207 allows the retaining member to slidably travel and be aligned with the center of the base portion 102 resulting in a compact profile suitable for storage and packaging. The compact profile is substantially defined by the outer dimensions of the base portion 102.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one ore more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated

There may be many variations to this diagram or the steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order or steps may be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention.

While the preferred embodiment to the invention had been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described. 

1. An apparatus including: a base member; a first leg member pivotably engaged to the base member; a second leg member pivotably engaged to the base member; a third leg member pivotably engaged to the base member, the third leg member including a linkage portion; and a retaining member engaged to the linkage portion.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a fourth leg member pivotably engaged to the base member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member includes a support portion including a base retainer portion.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member defines an outer ring having arcuate segments and linear segments.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the arcuate segments define a first plane and the linear segments define a second plane, the first plane substantially parallel to the second plane.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first leg member is pivotably engaged to a first linear segment of the base member, the second leg member is pivotably engaged to a second linear segment of the base member, and the third leg member is pivotably engaged to a third linear segment of the base member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retaining member forms a ring that is linked to the linkage portion.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member includes a base retainer portion arranged within a ring formed by the base member.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first leg member includes an impinging portion arranged on a distal end of the first leg member and the second leg member includes an impinging portion arranged on a distal end of the second leg member.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the linkage portion includes a looped portion arranged at a distal end of the third leg member.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retaining member slidably engages the linkage portion.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retaining member includes an impeding portion arranged between portions of the linkage portion.
 13. An apparatus including: a base member; a first leg member pivotably engaged to the base member; a second leg member pivotably engaged to the base member; a third leg member pivotably engaged to the base member; a fourth leg member pivotably engaged to the base member, the fourth leg member including a linkage portion; and a retaining member engaged to the linkage portion.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the retaining member is slidably engaged to the linkage portion.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first leg member, the second leg member, the third leg member, and the fourth leg member are sized such that when inwardly rotated, distal ends of the leg members overlap in a region defined by the base member.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the retaining member defines a ring.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the base member defines a ring.
 18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the retaining member defines a ring defining a first plane and the base member defines a ring defining a second plane, the first plane substantially parallel to the second plane.
 19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the retaining member is arranged such that a first portion of the retaining member contacts a distal portion of the first leg member, a second portion of the retaining member contacts a distal portion of the second leg member, a third portion of the retaining member contacts a distal portion of the third leg member, and a fourth portion of the retaining member contacts a distal portion of the fourth leg member.
 20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the base member defines a ring and includes at least a first transverse segment connected to a first portion of the ring and a second portion of the ring. 